The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) says despite the recent mishap in Kaduna, the military remains focused on its mission of creating a safe and secure country.
It said the ongoing military operations across the country are based on national security interests and “integral to the plan of focussing military pressure on the terrorists, insurgents, and extremists to dismantle and destroy them or force them to submission.”
The Director of Defence Military Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba said this in a statement on Thursday, December 7.
Over 85 villagers were killed when the Nigerian Army drone accidentally struck the Tudun Biri community in the Igabi local government area of Kaduna state.
The military high command condoled with the families of victims of the drone attack, adding that the incident was being investigated.
Buba said: “The outcome of the investigation would go a long way in identifying areas of improvement to forestry future occurrences.
“The military stands with all those grieving as a result of the drone strike and expresses our heartfelt condolences as a force over the losses. We pray for eternal peace for their souls.
“The armed forces is very concerned about the issues of civilian casualties in operations, a situation which it views as tragic and unwanted. The military is determined to deal with the situation properly and make improvements from our experiences.
“The military will continue to take great measures to prevent civilian casualties. Protecting civilians remains a vital part of our operations to promote greater security for all Nigerians.”
Giving an update on troops’ operations across the country in the past week, the defence spokesperson said troops killed 80 terrorists and arrested 304 others.
He also said that troops of Operation Delta Safe, a military operations against oil thieves in the Niger Delta region, arrested 152 oil thieves and rescued 44 kidnapped hostages.
Buba said troops recovered 81,000 litres of stolen crude oil, 239,500 litres of illegally refined diesel, 5,000 litres of kerosene, and 10,500 litres of petrol.
“Troops also destroyed eight dugout pits, 11 boats, 46 storage tanks, seven vehicles, 84 cooking ovens, 356 drums, one outboard engine, one pumping machine and 20 illegal refining sites,” Buba said.
According to the Defence spokesperson, troops recovered 112 assorted weapons and 898 assorted ammunition, comprising two GPMG, one HK21 gun, 14 AK47 rifles, eight pump action guns, four locally fabricated rifles, eight locally made pistols, five dane guns, 239 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 431 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 4 rounds of 9mm ammo, 52 live cartridges.
Other items seized from criminals, according to him, are five magazines loaded with 128 rounds of 7.62mm special, six vehicles, 28 mobile phones, 12 motorcycles, one laptop, and a sum of N782,790.00.
